Everest winner Yes Yes Yes (Rubick) got the nod for the Champion 3-Year-Old male title, showing just how influential the world’s top rated sprint is in the perception of Horse of the Year voters.
Bivouac (Exceed And Excel) was able to secure wins over Yes Yes Yes in both the G1 Golden Rose S. and the G2 Run To The Rose S. in their only meetings and then beat the older horses in the G1 Newmarket H.
He was also placed in the G1 Coolmore Stud S. and the G1 William Reid S. after winning the G3 Vain S. and running second in the G3 San Domenico S. earlier in the season.
However, Coolmore-domiciled Yes Yes Yes could not have been more impressive in becoming the first 3-year-old to win the highest-rated sprint in the world. It was this super victory that secured him the vote over Bivouac.
The now-Champion son of Rubick has joined his sire at stud in Jerry’s Plains, standing for a service fee of $38,5000, while Bivouac will take his place in the 2020 Everest field.
Yes Yes Yes (green cap) was awarded the Champion 3-Year-Old of 2019/20
Clear-cut winners
There was no controversy around the main awards with top-flight sprinter Nature Strip (Nicconi) rewarded for his supreme short course efforts with his crowning as the Australian Horse of the Year while Arrowfield Stud’s Snitzel claimed his fourth Champion Sire title.
Nature Strip was successful in four of his seven starts and claiming Group 1 titles in the TJ Smith S., Darley Classic and Moir S.
It is the fifth consecutive year his trainer Chris Waller has prepared the Horse of the Year winner after his champion mare Winx (Street Cry {Ire}) won the award a record four times.
“It is amazing to get a horse like this,’’ Waller said of Nature Strip, who was also acknowledged as the Champion Sprinter.
“It is amazing to get a horse like this." - Chris Waller
“He has gone from a horse that has been a genuine Group 2 winner, and then in one season has won multiple Group 1 races, including the biggest sprint races on the racing calendar.
“It is a privilege to be part of his career and respect should also be given to my team for the work they have done with Nature Strip behind the scenes making sure that he is well prepared and continues to peak throughout each preparation resulting in some really big wins.’’
Nature Strip
Snitzel continues dominance
Snitzel won a fourth title with $17.8 million prizemoney, more than $2 million clear of I Am Invincible and Pierro to emphasise his dominance.
The G1 Golden Slipper S. winner Farnan (Not A Single Doubt) claimed the Champion 2-Year-Old title, and other age group award went to Loving Gaby (I Am Invincible) the Champion 3-Year-Old Filly.
Vow And Declare’s (Declaration Of War {USA}) (Stayer) G1 Melbourne Cup heroics earned him the Stayer of the Year Award while the Middle Distance title was shared by dual Group 1 winner Fierce Impact (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and All-Star Mile champion Regal Power (Pierro).
Craig Williams was named Group 1 Jockey of the Year, Waller Group 1 Trainer of the Year and Tallyho Twinkletoe (NZ) (St Reims {NZ}) the Champion Jumper.
The main categories were voted on by more than 60 of the nation’s racing media and handicappers, with the winner receiving the highest number of votes awarded on a 3-2-1 basis.
